He was known for his technical abilities, especially passing skills and ball control, but was also injury-prone.[1][2] Over 15 seasons, he amassed La Liga totals of 390 matches and 29 goals in representation of Mallorca, Atlético Madrid and Deportivo, spending 13 years with the latter club; he started and finished his 22-year senior career with Las Palmas.

In the next two years, Valerón played for Atlético Madrid where he was an undisputed starter but, following the side's relegation in 2000, he joined Deportivo de La Coruña, sharing club and position with equally talented Brazilian Djalminha. He gradually would become first-choice,[6][7] signing a contract to eventually see off the remainder of his career with the Galicians in February 2004.[8]

In January 2006, however, Valerón started a bad run with injuries. He suffered a knee injury[9] which relapsed in July[10] and early 2007 (with him only managing two league appearances in the process), leading to another surgery.[11] Consequently, he did not reappear until midway through the 2007–08 campaign.

On 27 January 2008, Valerón returned to the bench in Deportivo's 3–1 home win against Real Valladolid, coming on as a substitute for Andrés Guardado for the final 15 minutes – his first match for over a year.[12] In 2008–09, aged 33, he eventually became an important first-team fixture again,[13] both on domestic and European fronts.[14]

36-year-old Valerón was an undisputed starter for Depor in the 2011–12 season, scoring a career-best five goals in nearly 3,000 minutes of action in Segunda División as his team returned to the top flight after one year out, as champions.[15] Even though he had a contract until 2015, he chose to leave in June 2013,[16] having taken part in 422 games all competitions comprised (32 goals).

On 14 July 2013, following another Deportivo relegation, Valerón returned to his first club Las Palmas after 16 years, signing a one-year contract with an option for a second.[17] He continued to be an important first-team member during his tenure, achieving promotion to the top flight in 2015.[18][19]

In the 2015 summer, Valerón renewed his contract with the Amarillos for a further year.[20] On 26 September, he first appeared with the club in the top flight, featuring 22 minutes in a 1–2 away loss to Barcelona in what was his first game in the competition in 847 days,[21] and becoming the fifth oldest player to play there at the age of 40 years and 101 days;[22] he climbed one position on 12 December after coming on as substitute against Real Betis, surpassing former Deportivo teammate Donato.[23]

On 1 March 2016, after being featured in a 4–0 home win against Getafe CF, Valerón appeared in his 400th game in the Spanish top tier.[24] On 7 May, he announced his retirement.[25]

Valerón's older brother, Miguel Ángel, was also a footballer and a midfielder.[31] Having represented Las Palmas and Mallorca B, his career was also curtailed by injuries.[32] Later, together with another sibling, Pedro, they created a football club/school named Abrisajac, from biblical characters Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.[33]

Valerón was a close friend of fellow CanarianManuel Pablo, who also played for Las Palmas, Deportivo and Spain.[34] He was also known for his devotion to God, but admitted that he and his family did not follow any religion.[35]

Valerón's nephew, Manu, also played youth football for Las Palmas.[36]

Miguel Ángel Ramírez, Las Palmas president, said in 2015 he was trying to persuade Valerón to play another season so that he would be able to say goodbye to all the stadia in Spain where he was consistently cheered[39]– this was exemplified by his last game at the Camp Nou, with former national teammate Luis Enrique and coach of the opposing team applauding as he took the pitch.[40] Former Dutch internationals Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Roy Makaay claimed he was the best player they had ever played with.[39]